0 comments/ 50235 views/ 2 favorites One Step Closer By: TasteMeImYummy The thundering drums seemed far away as Gary turned his head towards the door, watching the stream of people disappearing back inside the smoke filled nightclub. He loved the cool night air up on the balcony, it took the edge off the beer and tequila. There was always some of the best dope being rolled, lit and shared. The perfect appetiser to the 1am happy hour, he took a drag and read the 'Jack Daniels presents the Doors JD & Coke Happy hour' flyer again. A young girl sat next to him, she smelled of the sweet smoke that the smoke machine in the club produced. Gary loved that smell, he wasn't sure why. The Doors Nightclub was a roaring success from the day it opened. It opened one Saturday at noon and the party hadn't stopped. Gary was a regular, he considered it a second home, though less like a home and more like a bank - the place he deposited most of his pay checks. Not that he got completely wasted every time, but it was in his nature to buy round after round and no self respecting Doors clubber would say no to a drink. Doors was built like a two tier amphitheatre, a gallery around the dance floor downstairs and an upstairs balcony and bar area. There was also an outside open-air balcony which was originally planned as a fire escape. Inside, the walls all painted black, deep shadows concealing the recesses with seating hidden every few feet, the lights all trained on the dance floor. The acoustics were awesome but once in some of the recesses, people could hold a conversation and if dressed in dark clothing, were nearly invisible to a passers-by. Management encouraged their clientele to wear black. At 19, Gary had already spent a year in the army. He had kept in shape after leaving, running 8 miles twice a week with a 30 minute workout before each run. He knew girls noticed his toned body and he was glad his parents and his dentist had convinced him of the long term advantage straight teeth would have. The girl next to him touched his arm and asked for a light, "I don't smoke," he paused, "cigarettes" he finished with a devilish grin. She seemed to blush for an instant, introduced herself as Tammy and informed him that she didn't smoke either and was going to dance. As she stood, she quickly kissed his cheek and slowly walked away as if half willing him to follow her. Gary didn't move, surprised by the kiss and unsure what to do. He watched her walk towards the door, she was wearing black boots, a long loose black skirt that could not hide her slender frame. A black top with thin straps over the shoulders kept her breasts firm and Gary guessed it was the chilly night air that accentuated her nipples. He noticed the fine hair on his arm was standing where she had touched him. She turned once before disappearing inside and he caught a smile, her full lips looked like they were brushed with a white lipstick, but he had seen that it was pastel pink when she was closer, so close her deep green eyes had dazzled him. Her long brown hair loosely braided. Sexy yet innocent he thought. Gary finished his beer and stood, surveyed the balcony crowd and started for the door. Suddenly he felt a hand on his arm, she was back he thought as he slowly turned to flash a smile. Ian noticed at the disappointment in Gary's eyes and asked if he was ok. Gary recovered quickly and told Ian about the girl he had just seen. ** Tammy skipped across the balcony, cursing herself for insisting her new boyfriend join her at Doors. She turned unable to resist another look at the guy she has just spoken to. She felt a little embarrassed for asking him for a light, she wasn't sure why she blurted the words out. She couldn't believe she had just kissed him on the cheek, he smelled so good. She hadn't noticed him sit down next to her, but his deep voice caught her attention as she overheard him talking to somebody about the quality of the weed they were sharing. She secretly watched him, noticed he was the only guy sitting around her that was wearing an ironed t-shirt, taking in his athletic posture, strong hands. Watching as his contagious smile spread to those he spoke with. She imagined this was how an ardent fan felt when they finally met their hero, except he was a total stranger. Her boyfriend was leaning against the bar, talking to a bottle blonde dressed in jeans and an assortment of tattoos that could have passed for bruises. She watched as they linked arms and swallowed tequila together, then the blonde lay on a low table as he licked salt off her navel, downed another tequila and then took the lemon slice from her mouth. Tammy had been warned that Ray was a cheat, and to think she had been saving herself for him, waiting for the right moment when he kept insisting that they 'do it!' One more boyfriend who couldn't wait. She had let him fumble her breasts and once he tried to finger her, briefly getting a finger inside her but her little sister had walked in. To think she almost gave her virginity him. She had imagined sex with him as she masturbated first using carrot, then a small cucumber, other times a thin deodorant can. She would get so wet at the thought of sex, sliding the carrot in and out of her pussy with one hand as she rubbed her clit with the other. Lately she had placed a small mirror between her legs so she could watch herself work up to an orgasm. Watching for as long as possible until she threw her head back, eyes closed, her imagination consuming her as she came, the power of pleasure sapping energy across her body. She loved to watch herself, she imagined herself shaved smooth like the girls in the magazines that her dad hid at the bottom of his cupboard. She was sure he didn't notice when she secretly borrowed one overnight, she was careful to put it back in the same place she found it. Daddy liked them shaved with big titties. Some nights she would lie in bed, her ears straining, hearing the creaking bed, her mother's soft moans, the bed rocking until her dad gasped. She would get horny and reach into her drawer for some tissues as she rubbed her wet pussy. Tammy had recently upgraded to a C cup, she was still self conscious of this and wore clothing to hug her body and press her breasts flat against her. When alone she would rub her nipples or gently scratch them with her nails adding to the pleasure of a smooth cucumber in her pussy and a small carrot in her arse, taking it like the girls in the magazine. Then fantasising that one of the girls in the magazine was licking her clit. 'Fuck him' she thought angrily watching her boyfriend fuss over the bimbo. She went to the bar, ordered a beer and a double vodka in a tall glass filled with ice, downed the vodka, ordered another and went down to the dance floor. She could feel the cool vodka cleansing its way down her throat, soothing her anger. Head Like a Hole was playing as she moved into the throng of dancing people moving in unison like ancient man prayed to their gods. The warmth of their bodies, touching her, rubbing her she began to move with them. Every now and then feeling the ice cold beer in her mouth followed by a sip of vodka. ** Gary and Ian decided to grab a drink. Ian ordered two happy hour JD's on ice, handing Gary one he suggested they watch the people dancing downstairs. They made their way to the upstairs gallery that overlooked the dance floor. Within seconds Gary noticed Tammy swinging drinks back as she danced. He nudged Ian and pointed. Ian laughed that he was already looking at her, and added that he hoped she had a friend as hot as she was. A song later Ian spotted her, she must have been Tammy's friend, they were dancing together, really close together! Not at first, but they seemed to look at each other, then suddenly the girls kissed, their hands exploring each other, the throng of dancers seemingly blind to what both Ian and Gary found themselves being turned on by. Gary moved first and Ian followed him, heading downstairs. ** Tammy noticed a girl dancing with her, not next to her but with her, gyrating their arses together. She felt a soft hand in hers, and found herself pulling the girl closer. Tammy had never done anything with a girl before if you didn't count her latest fantasies. This girl was sexy. Cloudy green eyes, sun tanned skin, blonde hair with matching eyebrows and lashes. She felt herself being drawn towards the girl's full lips as she and Fiona briefly introduced themselves. She felt Fiona lean in and she seductively kissed her, their lips parting slightly as Tammy felt Fiona's hands move behind her pressing her dress firmly against her arse. Soft cool lips, skin so different to the men she had kissed, the equally soft hands touching her felt electric. Tammy opened her mouth more, her tongue melting in Fiona's mouth, tasting her, recognising the taste of strawberry liqueur mixed with the salty sweat on her lips. They paused as Fiona raised her glass to her mouth, then leaned in to kiss again. Soft but frozen lips as Frieda slipped an ice block from her mouth into Tammy's as they kissed, Tammy took a sip of her drink and gave Fiona a mouthful of ice and vodka from her mouth. Their bodies separated only by the thin layer of clothing, Tammy knew that if she could feel Fiona's nipples through their clothes that the feeling was mutual. Fiona's touch felt good, her hands in Tammy's hair, Tammy realising she had her hand under Fiona's shirt, feeling the smooth bra that covered her breasts, her fingers confirming the girl was aroused. They started moving towards a vacant recess in the wall. ** Gary and Ian worked their way through the crowd almost stumbling into the girls as they were leaving the dance floor. Gary made eye contact with Tammy, she had a determined look in her eyes, holding the other girl's hand, leading her. She giggled and gestured for him to follow them into the nearest recess. There was someone in it and she moved towards the next one, feeling around to check that it was empty. The music was much quieter in the recess, their eyes adjusting to the low light. Gary and Ian sitting opposite the girls. Gary introduced Ian to the girls, Fiona introduced herself, she had an accent not unexpected from a Norwegian exchange student. Her husky voice with deliberate pronunciation was very sensual. She asked the guys if they had been watching the dance floor action, referring to her and Tammy. Asked if they wanted to watch some more as she ran a finger across Tammy's lips. Tammy didn't wait for a reply from the guys, turning to face Fiona she placed her hands on Fiona's legs, leaned forward and kissed her. Their tongues touching, tasting as Tammy moved to kiss her neck, deliberate strong kisses, her lips hot on Fiona's skin, her hands under Fiona's shirt. Fiona lay back allowing Tammy to explore her body, feeling the warm kisses on her neck send tingles down her body, knowing the two guys opposite were being turned on watching her nipples being rubbed, she parted her legs and placed a hand between them, rubbing herself, feeling her panties get wet. Tammy could see Fiona was enjoying this, her hand rubbing outside her jeans. She moved her hand down Fiona's stomach to the button on her jeans and with a flick they were open, her zipper sliding down easily. She slipped her hand under Fiona's panties, her fingers first touching pubes, then lower she felt her lips, smooth and slightly wet, she eased a finger inside, surprised at how wet Fiona was inside. Fiona moaned, enjoying Tammy's finger in her pussy, she lifted her bra and drew Tammy's mouth to her nipples, feeling her tongue tease them to attention. She felt Tammy slide a second finger into her, sending a wave of pleasure across her. Tammy's fingers moving expertly in and out of her wetness, a thumb rubbing her clit she felt a climax building as the room and everything around her deserted her thoughts as wave after wave of pleasure ran through her body. ** The guys watched, not able to see clearly in the dark but certain of what they were witnessing. They were both hard and turned on, they eyes straining in the dark trying to see more, their ears attempting to block out the music and hear the heavy breathing opposite them. They watched as Fiona came, her head thrown back, her eyes closed, getting a glimpse of her nipples when Tammy moved her head from one nipple to the other. Watching Tammy's hand moving inside Frieda's jeans. Then it was Fiona's turn to tease. ** Fiona was wet, her skin felt like a million points of ecstasy, she knelt down between Tammy's legs, not bothering to pull her jeans up, giving the guys a view. She placed a hand on each leg and slowly moved them up, inching Tammy's skirt up as she did so. When she reached her panties, she quickly pulled them down, Tammy stepped out of them and Fiona started kissing, her lips moving up Tammy's legs until she found what she was looking for. Tammy smelt of soap, lavender, her pubes surprisingly soft, she ran her tongue along her inner thigh, then spread her pussy lips with her fingers, feeling them wet as Tammy spread her legs more. The loose skirt covering Fiona's head, she began working her tongue, licking Tammy's lips, probing her pussy then sucking her clit, suddenly she felt a pair of strong hands on her arse. ** Ian decided to make a move, he couldn't resist Fiona's naked arse in front of him. He leaned forward and placed his hands on each cheek, half expecting to be in trouble. He felt her move onto his hands. He slid a finger between her cheeks and found her wet pussy, his big strong fingers rubbing her clit. He noticed Gary was moving to the other side of Tammy, his zipper open, she pulled his rock hard cock out and steered it into her mouth. Sucking hard, the look on Gary's face telling a happy story. A couple half drunkenly stumbled into the recess. Gary, Tammy and Ian froze, not knowing what to do, Fiona, under Tammy's skirt continued licking and sucking completely unaware. The couple, noticing the odd arrangement of bodies, did the maths and laughed as they moved away, Gary was sure he saw the guy wink at him. He looked across at Ian who was already thrusting his cock between Fiona's butt cheeks, his movements fluid, he seemed to be in a far off world, oblivious to everything around him. Not to miss out, Gary fed his dick to Tammy, still rock hard, her mouth gripped his cock like a vice. It wasn't long before Gary felt a familiar unstoppable wave building in his groin, he closed his eyes as a hot burst of cum escaped him, filling Tammy's mouth. He expected her to be angry, but as she opened her mouth, he could see his milky pleasure spread around in her mouth. She closed her eyes and took a long swallow, her mouth was empty. She smiled up at him, seemingly proud of herself. Ian glanced at Gary, seeing him pull his cock from Tammy's mouth, cum dripping from the tip. Not breaking his rhythm, feeling Fiona moving with him, his hands on her breasts, he could feel her breathing break into a shudder as she came all over his cock, her juices running down her legs. Unable to hold himself any longer he pulled his slick dick from her and blew a huge load of warm cum across her arse. As Ian awkwardly wiped Fiona's arse with his shirt, the others watching him, they all realised they had an extra voyeur, a bouncer had been watching them. Unsure what to do, they quickly pulled clothing into place and tried to act as though nothing had happened. The bouncer smiled, suggested they leave, he even tried to slip his phone number to Tammy as four satisfied, slightly sheepish teenagers made their way out the door. ** "What a Friday night!" Gary thought as he was leaving, "Tammy, Gary, Ian and Fiona, TGIF!" It had a certain ring to it One Step Closer to Heaven A month after moving in, George was still settling. As a retired sailor, and younger son of an amateur optimist for whom the grass was always greener somewhere else, moving wasn't new to George. He, like his own sons, could pack a Uhaul better than many professional movers. All that experience had taught him it takes almost a full year to make the place you live in feel like home, so he wasn't surprised by feeling unsettled there at Sinclair Towers. 'Give it time,' he thought. 'It will happen.' Not being able to share his new apartment with the various members of his widely-spread family didn't help. His one brother lived a pleasant half-hour drive away. Three sisters were scattered about the northwestern US, and his parents were in the Idaho foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Then were his own children, largely grown themselves and even more widely scattered. He had to tell everyone his new address and phone number, of course. And those who lived in the surrounding area were already asking when he'd be ready for visitors. Fighting down a small burst of panic, George guiltily explained about his lack of furniture ("you're always welcome but there's no place to sit"), parking congestion, tap dancing as best he could while mentioning everything he could think of but the one real reason he wasn't ready for visitors. The crisis in family visitation popped up during planning for the holidays. George's parents wanted the family to gather on the farm one more time, for what would probably be the last "old fashioned Christmas" the family would have. That meant that, by default, the Thanksgiving gathering would take place among those living closer to the coast, meaning George or one of his siblings would have to host the family gathering. Group E-mails flew like electronic locusts once the discussion began. "I vote for George to host," Kay wrote. George almost stopped breathing when he read that one short line. Kay was his older sister, now in her fifties but still small and attractive. She had recently left her third husband and was living alone (with cats) and working as a librarian in the town nearest their parents' farm. She was easy going, and like most of his family had a great sense of humor. Kay might, George surmised, be quite happy with his new living arrangements -- once she got over the shock of every single man in the building being butt naked, including her own brother. George thought for a moment, then shelved that thought for future consideration. "I second," baby sister Marie responded that evening from Olympia's outskirts. "I hear his new apartment is awesome." Marie might also adjust, George surmised, or even welcome the quirks in his living arrangements. As the youngest of his generation of Hanovers, she was in her mid-forties, a plump but attractive nurse with dark hair, brown eyes, a wry wit and perhaps the easiest belly laugh of all his family. She'd been divorced for years, generally loved life and didn't care a whole lot for what everyone else might think. George suspected she might think a little eye candy would just make Thanksgiving even sweeter. "We've been waiting for a dinner invitation, maybe this is the time to pony up eh?" Janey wrote. She was Jerry's wife, the same age as Marie, and though unrelated by blood could almost pass as one of the family. She always said it was because she and her brother, like George's generation of Hanovers, had grown up watching Montana recede out the back window of a station wagon. But while the Hanovers tended toward introversion, Janey was outgoing, almost domineering if she saw the need. She, too, was a nurse, but she had moved into the management side of life, and was now deeply involved in building a home health care business with Jerry. Family rumour had it their business was worth millions. Others might disapprove of George's living arrangements, but Janey was the most likely to publicly twist the knife. His own kin would politely wait until his back was turned to crucify him. "We can help with an extra table and some folding chairs if needed," Jerry chipped in via his own e-mail account. Jerry was the oldest of George's siblings. Like Janey, he had parlayed a health care background into major business management experience before setting out to make his fortune. George used to tell his own children, "I spent my life trying to do the right thing. Jerry spent his life making money. I think that's fine, if it's what's important to him. He thinks I'm a freakin' idiot." Jerry seldom said anything to contradict George's assessment. He and Janey lived in the hills west of Portland, an easy drive from George's new apartment. While George was now blessed with an incredible urban panorama outside his windows, Jerry and Janey were equally blessed with views of wooded slopes and patchwork farms stretching across to the Coastal range of northern Oregon. Sunsets from their deck were to die for. But of course George was merely paying rent on his view, while Jerry and Janey were purchasing equity in theirs. "I guess it's settled then," Lea wrote. "Thanksgiving dinner at George's new apartment. We'll be there, appetites in tow!" Lea was the sister closest to George in both age and temperament, so of course they were fated to be either best friends or worst enemies. Her pale coloring and green eyes were similar to his, as was her tall, slender build and quiet, moody temperament. Her husband, Niles, was a successful environmental management consultant who loved a good joke himself -- else he couldn't have survived around the Hanover family -- but had grown up in what George referred to as "Politically Correct California." He had a strong sense of what was proper, permissible behavior, and didn't hesitate to share it with the more rustic Hanovers. George, a retired Navy man, could seldom appreciate either his prissy attitudes or his well-meant input. After a near-sleepless night, George gathered his thoughts and sat before the altar of the internet gods to prepare his response. "I guess I'm willing to host Thanksgiving dinner," he wrote, "but you all need to be aware of a number of issues that will impact the occasion." He re-read the line. It sounded very formal in his mind's voice. 'Move on, George,' he ordered himself. 'Quit stalling.' If he didn't just bull his way through this task, he'd waffle forever and never get the note sent. He resumed typing. "First, I don't have a clue how to actually prepare a Thanksgiving dinner, so I will need lots of input and elbow grease from the more experienced amongst us." Honest enough, he thought. None of them would be surprised by that, but maybe they'd decide it would be easier to gather someplace where the cooks actually knew how to cook. "Second, I live in a high-density urban neighborhood. Parking is always a problem, so we'll have to check into alternatives. I only have one slot in the parking garage here, and management has already told me there are no guest slots available. Sorry for the inconvenience." "Third, while my apartment is very spacious for my needs, and the views are just indescribable -- especially sunset on Mt. Hood on a clear day -- it could be a tight fit if everyone shows with kids in tow, so I'll need to know exactly how many we'll be feeding and make sure I have places to put them." If he could make it sound inconvenient enough, maybe they'd all decide on another spot for Thanksgiving dinner. Without exposing himself, so to speak, to their judgments. And view. "And, fourth, my apartment building has some peculiar rules concerning lifestyle and deportment that we'll need to discuss before we make a final decision." He clicked the send button, rushing his comments to the others, hoping they'd decide it was too much trouble to gather at his home for Thanksgiving yet also, maybe a little secretly, wishing they could all know and be okay with it. Wishing he could stay here in this fantastic apartment at an incredibly low rent and not have to hide any of it from the people he was close to. Wishing he could talk openly and unguardedly, and they could drop in for visits while in town, and no one would be embarrassed or offended or have to dance around the real issues like he was in this email. Lea was the first to respond. "I have no problem with helping out," she wrote. "Women cook, everyone eats, men clean up after. Isn't that the way it usually works anyway?" "I've met with clients in that neighborhood, and George is right, parking is horrible" Janey wrote. "You have to have a city permit just to park on the street. Business parking lots are patrolled, and they tow." "If you want, everyone can gather at our place and carpool in. We have the Suburban, we can shove you in like circus clowns," Jerry offered. "It's easier to park one large car than a half dozen smaller ones." "I'm alone this year, the Kid is doing Thanksgiving with his Dad," Marie wrote. "Same here," Lea chimed in, "just Niles and I." "Ditto," Kay the librarian responded. "No kids in tow." "The Brat," Janey wrote, referring to their twelve year old son, "is spending the entire weekend camping on the coast with a friend, so it will just be me, Jerry, and Heather," their eighteen year old daughter. "If we all bring our camp chairs, then we'll all have places to sit. I'm sure we can make this work." George was caught by surprise here -- with his pants down, so to speak. Everyone seemed eager to do Thanksgiving at his place. But none of them, he knew, had any idea what the real problem was. 'You haven't told them,' he reminded himself. Now it was time to give them the real info. How to do that? A test of his communication skills, to be sure. He started to type, feeling like he was offering his testicles on a chopping block. Of course he could just back out without explanation, but he hated the thought. Through all his Navy years, the family had gathered for holidays without him, and he had never, ever hosted a family holiday get-together. Now he was in the neighborhood, he didn't have the ex-wife to contend with, he had a great place to live, it seemed to be time to step back into the mix and become part of the family again. As far as his living arrangements here at Sinclair Towers, he was either going to have to accept that they would find out sooner or later, or plan on moving again. "Okay, I'm convinced," he wrote. "I'm willing to do Thanksgiving dinner here at my place. I hope you all enjoy the new apartment, and eat yourselves sick. But I did mention a few building rules that you'll need to be aware of. I hesitate to put them in writing but trying to talk to each of you individually would be too cumbersome. So here goes." He sat back and stared at the screen. Did he really have the balls to just write it out like this? Well, he had to tell them, one way or another. It would be terribly unfair to just spring it on them, although watching the shock on the faces of Lea and Niles might be worth that little devilry. Now there's a thought. Maybe he could just tell some, and leave others in the dark? That might help it come off more as a joke, might make it easier to make the thing work because some of them would be "in" on it and have a vested interest in pushing the others to accept and deal with it. But there was always the problem of his parents. Mom was like Churchlady on steroids, while Dad was merely ultraconservative and judgmental in a bitingly sarcastic way. Perhaps he could enlist Kay's help there? She could speak with them face-to-face, whereas he'd have to plead his case over the phone. And then, without clearly being aware of it, his decision was made. He erased the last few lines of his note, telling the recipients merely that there were rules in his building they'd need to be aware of, and he'd tell them more later. Then he started listing names and plotting his course. Janey and Jerry. They would have to be told, but it was dangerous. They would love being on the inside of the joke and watching the others squirm, but would hate having such a joke played on them. So George needed to get them on the inside. On the other hand, Janey was possibly the least discrete of all his relatives. She loved a good story, loved being first with news or gossip, and this would be gossip of the highest order. He'd have to play it very carefully, but, he decided, they had to be told. If he didn't get them on his side up front, their reaction could be blistering. And Heather? There were very few children in this building, but most of what there was were girls, whose mothers were happily raising their daughters to be open, empowered women. Heather was hardly a little girl. Eighteen years old, a highschool senior with braces and dimples and bright blue eyes, she might be okay once she was safely inside the apartment and shielded from public areas. But she was one hundred percent modern teen. As soon as she set a toe outside the building, she'd be texting everyone on the planet. Probably with pictures. Kay. Hmmm. Kay was pretty easy going, and not exactly a spring chicken. She'd been around the block, probably more than once if truth be told. She could appear as conservative as any small town librarian, but then whip out some off-color one liner that would leave your jaw open and your ears red. She'd probably be fine, whether on the inside or the outside. In fact, George thought, she'd probably enjoy the hell out of it, as long as no one else caused a rucus. Lea and Niles. Problem territory again. Obviously, they would be the best ones to pull the prank on, with their third-grade-teacher morality and pushy prissiness. But Niles was no weakling, whatever his faults might be. If he was too shocked at the beginning, he might simply refuse to enter the building. But wait, wasn't there a twenty four hour guest pass policy? George, as a resident and especially as a 'rent-reduced' resident, would have to stay naked, but he could probably get Niles a guest pass. Ditto for any of the other males in the group, while he was thinking about it. He'd have to remember to check on it and prepare in advance. A small slip here could spoil the entire day, with all his dinner guests piling back into the car and driving over to the nearest all-you-can-eat buffet. He would plan on surprising Lea and Niles, then, but providing guest passes for all the males whether surprised or not. Marie. Easy one here, in George's mind. Marie was probably the one person most likely to just shrug and say "sounds like fun to me." So should she be warned ahead of time, or left to enjoy the moment? She might make a good ally if he needed help. She might even block the door if Niles and Lea try to run. He marked her as a 'maybe' in either category. And finally, Parents. Dad could be remarkably open minded, when the mood hit, or an acid-tongued Torquemada if it didn't. And worse, his mind could change with the weather, depending largely on how many hours Mom spent camped on his ear driving her points home. It would be best to talk with him at length, explain the pros and cons. He'd understand the financial argument if nothing else. Mom, on the other hand, would be locked so tightly into her moral judgments that the Hiroshima bomb couldn't open her mind. They might just have to blindfold her on the sidewalk and tell her it's a surprise. Then let her see once they were inside the apartment, with the river in the foreground and Mt. Hood in the distance and the city spires reflecting the sun. The impact of that view just might be enough to get her past any inconvenience. Well, he'd have to talk with Dad about it, and that might even provide a little leverage with the old man. George could gain Dad's implicit consent and explicit cooperation by enlisting him to help get Mom inside for Thanksgiving dinner. At least, so he hoped. George's strategy was set. He would talk with Janey, to get her help with Jerry and Heather. He would talk with Marie, to get her help in dealing with Niles and Lea. And he would talk with Kay and Dad, to get their help with Mom. And if Dad had doubts, Kay could help there also. He started making calls. "Oh my God, you have got to be kidding!" Kay shrieked over the cell phone. "Is this for real?" "It's real," George assured her. "It's how I can afford such an amazing apartment. I agreed to the terms, and I'm a single guy in reasonably good shape, so they gave me a serious break on the rent." "So how can you host a family dinner in a place like that?" she asked. "Well, I thought maybe you could help me out with some of the problems," George said. Immediately, Kay sounded guarded. "What exactly do you think I would do?" she asked. "Keep in mind that only the men have to stay naked," George rushed to remind her. "The women are always clothed. Also," he continued, "there is no clothing gestapo going door to door to make sure we aren't wearing clothing when they're not looking. So once we're all inside the apartment, I can put something on and it won't be a problem. It will just be a normal family gathering." "Uh huh," Kay responded, obviously thinking while he spoke. "So there is no problem for you as far as clothing is concerned, just dress as you normally would, and don't worry about it. And I think I can get day passes for the male guests. They're good for twenty four hours, so even the guys won't have to strip down unless they decide to spend more than one night." "Uh huh," Kay said. "So the only one who actually is required to be naked is me, and then only when I'm outside my apartment but inside the building. It's a relatively short period of time there, you see?" "Mom will have a cow." "Not if we blindfold her and tell her it's a surprise. Then we'll take the blindfold off when she's inside the apartment, and she'll never know the difference." "That might work for going in," Kay commented, "but what about going back out? Are you going to blindfold her and tell her the street outside is a surprise also?" "Oops," George said. "Hadn't thought of that. See, that's why I need your help on this." "I'll have to think about it," Kay said, and they said goodbye. George met with Janey at a Starbucks near his building. He wore kahki slacks and a polo shirt. She was dressed for success. They sat at one of the small blonde wooden tables. She sipped her tea, watching him over the rim of her paper cup. "You're serious?" she asked. "Absolutely," George said. "That is the way it is in my building, and agreeing to it was the only way I could get in." "So if we went over there right now and you showed me your apartment, you'd have to strip bare-ass naked right there on the street before going in?" She smirked. She seemed to think she'd caught him in some sort of gaffe. "No." George could feel the blush in his cheeks and ears. Janey smiled a razor thin smile. Her dark eyes continued to watch him. "There are locker rooms, where the male residents can store street clothes. The outside doors all let onto the locker rooms except for the main public entrance, which opens to a kind of indoor garden entryway. So while I am required to enter and exit through the locker rooms, the guests could enter through the garden. They would never need to even know there's a locker room. I might even be able to talk one of the leasing agents into escorting all of you up to my apartment, so I wouldn't need to come down in my altogether to let you in." Janey's smile widened several nanometers. "Thanksgiving," she noted. "It's a holiday. I would expect your leasing agents to be home with their families." "Oops," George said. He hesitated. His blush deepened. "Well, I guess that I'd probably have to come down and let you in," he said. "You'd have to come down naked," she observed. "Yes," George confirmed. "That's in the lease contract. I'd have to be naked. If someone saw me in the hallways with clothing on, I could be evicted."